Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

IdeasLab

In 2024, University of Galway opened the IdeasLab space on campus, marking the institution's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its student body. IdeasLab is University of Galway's student innovation hub. It is an open collaborative space designed to engage the campus community to explore ideas and personalise their entrepreneurial and innovative skillset to succeed in the complex world beyond university. The formal opening of the IdeasLab space symbolises the University's dedication to creating an environment that nurtures creativity, collaboration, and transformative ideas. This space is a vibrant hub where students can bring their innovative concepts to life, collaborate with like-minded peers, and receive mentorship from industry experts. In April 2024, the first IdeasLab Hack took place on the topic of 'Supporting Sustainable Growth in Galway.'

Further information: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/ideaslab/ 

ALIVE: Student Engagement through Volunteering
ALIVE connects students with volunteering opportunities across Ireland through an online portal. Through ALIVE students can engage in voluntary activities across the university campus, Galway city, and wider communities. Students are enabled to develop their own practical, real-world skills and civic awareness through engagement with charities, non-profits and community organisations. Annually 1,000 students reflect on their volunteering experiences and achieve an award from the University of Galway President in recognition of their learning.

Further information: https://www.studentvolunteer.ie/universityofgalway/ 

Cell EXPLORERS
The Cell EXPLORERS programme is an education and public engagement programme based in the University of Galway School if Natural Sciences. It aims to inform, inspire and involve young people in modern biology. It runs with an unique model of sustainable public engagement for Higher Education Institution, which has the dual benefit of engaging children in local schools and communities whilst facilitating the training of tomorrow’s science communicators. Our specific model of public engagement in science is disseminated by 13 Cell EXPLORERS teams based in 10 institutions across Ireland. Each team comprises a volunteering team of staff and/or students (undergraduate and postgraduate). Teams are coordinated locally by 1-2 staff/postgraduate student coordinator(s). 
Further information: www.cellexplorers.com 

Youth Academy
The Youth Academy at University of Galway works with high ability 4th, 5th and 6th primary school
students to support their learning and academic development. The Youth Academy aims to inspire entry
into university by introducing children and their families to university life and to enrich the primary
school curriculum. The programme also aims to create positive perceptions of the university and its
academic programmes. 7,259 students have attended Youth Academy courses. Further information: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/youthacademy/ 

ReelLIFE SCIENCE
ReelLIFE SCIENCE is a STEM engagement programme, which encourages the public to discover more about STEM and its impact on individuals, society and the environment. Participants of all ages from schools and community groups are challenged to research a scientific topic and communicate it for the public via an engaging and educational three minute video, while developing their critical thinking, communication and digital skills. Since launching in 2013, ReelLIFE SCIENCE has enabled more than 10,000 students and community group members to engage with STEM in a novel way. Further information: www.reellifescience.com 

Alice Perry Engineering Building

The Alice Perry Engineering building at University of Galway, which was opened in July 2011, consolidates education and research activities in the various engineering disciplines into one building, which not only provides a learning environment, but itself acts as a teaching and learning tool. It is serving as a ‘living laboratory’ for engineering, where live data sets from numerous types of sensors are being used to illustrate structural engineering and building performance concepts in undergraduate teaching and in the development of full-scale research in structural engineering and energy. The building contains green-building initiatives, which will provide working models for students. Several of the building’s constructional elements have consciously been left exposed, as visual learning tools (RMJM, 2008).

Both energy and structural characteristics of the structure are to be monitored throughout the buildings entire life cycle. The vision is for a building whereby future students will be able to analyse and understand a building’s defining characteristics at first hand and on a personal level. Data measuring the strains, temperatures and movements due to loading of the building are being gathered along with energy demands and performance of the building. Embedded sensors within structural elements are fundamental to the development of the building as an interactive teaching tool, reporting on the evolving dialogue of the structure with its environment (Goggins et al, 2012).

Further information: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/structures/facilities/livinglaboratory/ 


CE2101: Community Engaged Building Engineering Projects Module
Engineering students complete a 5 ECTS module, which equates to 100-120 hours of learning for an average student. Several students each year complete their projects on developing recommendations for improving the sustainability of buildings on campus. Students have completed lots of projects that focus on fulfilling a real need to improve the campus infrastructure by working closely with Buildings & Estates staff.

Further information: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/course-information/module/CE2102 


Informatics Research Unit for Sustainable Engineering (IRUS)
IRUSE has several students each year working on projects that utilise the campus as a living laboratory, focusing on developing developing concepts, methods and/or technology that underpin best practice sustainable & holistic life cycle building management solutions. Undergraduate and postgraduate projects have been completed on the Arts-Science Building, Kingfisher Sports Centre and Alice Perry Engineering Building to name a few.

Further information: http://www.iruse.ie/ 

Retrofit of Áras de Brún

The Áras de Brún Building, constructed in 1960, was successfully retrofitted utilising numerous sustainable technologies achieving energy reductions and serving as a live research platform for students on campus. This "Living Lab" research platform promotes further exploration of decarbonisation strategies and offers the academic community valuable insights and data. The project is an innovative approach to retrofitting existing structures, leading to significant reduction in carbon emissions, and contributions to research and education on decarbonisation. University of Galway won the 2023 SEAI Energy in Buildings Award for this project.

Further information: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/buildings/projects/journey-to-net-zero/aras-de-brun-retrofit/ 

GEOFIT project

University of Galway is a pilot site for the GEOFIT project, a European initiative aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of geothermal energy systems for building retrofitting. The GEOFIT project uses a closed loop system to collect heat from 18 boreholes on the University of Galway campus (each 150m deep) drilled into the bedrock. The heat extracted is boosted by the heat pumps and feeds a district pipe network connecting the University swimming pool. By utilising the universities facilities as a testing ground for geothermal retrofitting, students build project management skills, develop technical skills in areas such as geothermal drilling, have access to real time data enabling them to analyse performance and identify area for improvement, and students have opportunities to engage in outreach activities educating local and wider communities about geothermal clean energy systems.

Further information: https://impact.universityofgalway.ie/articles/geofit-more-than-a-hole-in-the-ground/ 

Shannon College of Hotel Management herb and vegetable garden

Shannon College of Hotel Management is a constituent college of the University of Galway. Students were asked to develop a comprehensive project management plan to create a sustainable herb & vegetable garden within the available green space at the college.  The garden was to serve as a resource for undergraduate students in the college kitchens while aligning with SDG 2. The output of this teaching initiative was three detailed student group submissions and comprehensive proposals/project management plans for the college to consider when developing its green spaces. The assignment submissions made by students are now being considered as part of the implementation of a Biodiversity Garden and in plans for ethical sourcing of food and supplies. A project that started with a focus on SDG 2 clearly demonstrated to students the interconnectedness of the UN SDGs.

According to the course lecturer, “it was a rewarding experience to incorporate so many of the SDGs into the module, while using the PM framework as a lens to teach and develop the student's understanding of how to manage projects. While initially, we started with the focus on one or two SDGs, by the end of this module we touched on so many that will be of huge benefit in moving forward our sustainability campaign”.

Biodiversity of campus grounds

The campus grounds are used extensively to contribute to understanding on biodiversity, nature and ecosystems. This includes walks along the University's Biodiversity Trail. Two examples are provided below.

Sampling and Survey Techniques: In several programmes (e.g. Environmental Science, Zoology, Botany, Sustainable Environments, Biodiversity and Land Use Planning), students are set assignments on species and habitat management plans and the campus grounds are used to teach students species and habitat identification skills, ecological survey techniques and conservation management planning, this is assessed via assessed reports, papers and minor theses.

Invasive species assessment and management and biosecurity: In the module EV534 Invasive Species & Biodiversity, students learn invasive species identification, biosecurity and conservation management approaches, assessed via reports and papers. This contributes to the University research biosecurity protocol.

Campus commuting and travel facilities

Campus travel survey results and Galway City commuting are used in transport modules in civil engineering programmes such as Transportation Systems & Infrastructure I and Transportation Systems & Infrastructure II. Several students also complete their undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations on topics linked to campus travel.

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/science-engineering/engineering/civil-engineering/research/transportengineering/ 

Galway City Youth Climate Action Assembly

The third Galway City Youth Climate Assembly took place in University of Galway on 14th November 2023, as part of the Galway Science and Technology Festival. Transport was the main theme of the day and students heard from a range of speakers including sustainability themed transport initiatives by the University of Galway, Galway City Council and Gluas, an organisation advocating for a Very Light Rail sustainable public transport system in Galway City. Students were given the opportunity to offer their solutions to implement a safe pedestrian and cycling friendly city-wide transport infrastructure including an enhanced public transport network. The students subsequently presented their findings to local election candidates.

Alice Perry Engineering Building

The Alice Perry Engineering Building at University of Galway, as mentioned in the Buildings section above, is being used as a living laboratory for engineering students. One of the metrics that is monitored in this lab is water consumption. Water meters were installed throughout the building during construction. The water consumption data is fed into the buildings BMS (Building Management System), which is connected to a screen in the buildings foyer, where the water consumption is displayed graphically and building users can interact with the screen to learn more. Water is incorporated in civil engineering programmes through modules such as Hydrology & Water Resources Engineering.

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/structures/facilities/livinglaboratory/ 

Water research

The University of Galway EcoHydroInformatics Research Group (EHIRG) specialises in hydrological and water quality process in surface waters with a particular interest in coastal and transitional waterbodies Recent advancements of the EHIRG research in water quality improvement significantly contribute to achieving SDG 6. The Irish Water Quality Index (IEWQI) Model and the Assessment of Trophic Status Index (ATSI) Model exemplify these efforts. The IEWQI Model provides a comprehensive framework for rating water quality, incorporating multiple parameters to ensure accurate and reliable assessments of water bodies. This model aids in identifying pollution sources and guiding remediation efforts, aligning with SDG 6 by promoting good ambient water quality. Similarly, the ATSI Model assesses the trophic status of aquatic ecosystems, evaluating nutrient levels and potential eutrophication risks. This model supports sustainable water management practices by preventing nutrient overloads, which can degrade water quality and disrupt aquatic life. Both models demonstrate the critical role of advanced scientific tools in monitoring and enhancing water quality, ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all as outlined in SDG 6.

Sustainability Strategy 2021-2025

The University of Galway Sustainability Strategy 2021 to 2025 is based on a Learn-Live-Lead model. The aim with LIVE is to implement the principles of sustainability through campus operations so that our communities understand the importance of sustainable living in all aspects of their lives and value their connection to the physical environment, ecosystems and biodiversity. The Sustainability Strategy is incorporated in many programmes at the University to demonstrate a leading model for coordinating and planning sustainability. 

For example, the Sustainability Strategy is incorporated in the interdisciplinary 'Introduction to Sustainability' module where the Director of Sustainability presents an overview of the strategy to students, followed by a presentation on various campus energy and buildings projects by the Buildings & Estates Office. Students then discuss the opportunities and challenges of sustainability on campus.

Service Learning project for the Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees

Through Erasmus+ funding University of Galway is collaborating to deliver on a university-community partnership to enable academic programmes to incorporate migrants and refugees into the curriculum through community-based earning methodologies, or service learning pedagogy. The project delivered by University of Galway is Intercultural Encounter. The University of Galway is partnering with the University of Verona, University of Santiago de Compostela, and non-profit organisations ACCEM and Glocal Factory to bring the voices and experiences of new communities into the classroom while supporting students to engage directly within organisations addressing antiracism, inter-culturalism and allyship. Students will engage in hands-on projects in modules through Designing Futures and staff have undertaken a short course training programme with contributions from the University of Sanctuary, MakerSpace, GOCOM Radio and Campus Engage.

To learn more please visit www.service-learning-m.eu